WATS 5620 — Course Syllabus

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Catalog Description

This course provides an introduction to the practice of Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes. Students gain exposure to riverscape degradation, low-tech restoration techniques, and foundational riverscape and restoration principles.

Title	Introduction to Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes
Course Number	WATS 5620
Semester Offered	Spring
Credits	1.0 (1.5 CEU)
Levels	Graduate / Undergraduate
Schedule	Hybrid Face-to-Face Lecture
Cross-listed	CEWA 5620

← Back to Spring 2023 LTPBR Courses

Schedule

Spring 2023 - Intro to LTPBR

Matriculated Students: WATS 5620 Registration
Non-Matriculated Students: CEWA 5620 Registration

Class	Time	Days	Location	Dates	Instructor
Intro to LTPBR	1:30–3:30 pm	Tuesdays	Zoom	Jan 10, 17, 24 2023	Stephen Bennett

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Course Schedule / Outline

All details, assignments, and Zoom links are managed in Canvas:
Canvas Course Page

Students are expected to watch pre-recorded lectures and complete readings prior to class discussions.

Meeting Date	Module	Topics
1/10/2023	1.1	Background & Scope of Degradation, Build your First BDA
1/17/2023	1.2	Intro to Low-Tech Tools, Guiding Principles
1/24/2023	1.3	Partnering with Beaver, Synthesis

This course is built on Module 1 of the self-paced materials.

Module 1 Resources (Slides, Lectures, Exercises)

Fees

Matriculated Students

Pay standard USU tuition rates
Register for CRN 14339 on Banner

(tuition varies between $712 and $2716.94 per credit depending on status)

Continuing Education Students

$315 total (includes $45 CEU processing fee)
Registration is closed for 2023

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will:

Understand the scope and seriousness of riverscape degradation.
Identify a vision for healthy riverscapes.
Recognize various low-tech treatments and practices for riverscape restoration.
Use Principles of Riverscape Health to evaluate conditions.
Distinguish Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration principles from traditional restoration methods.
Articulate why and where beaver dam activity is important for riverscape restoration.

Instructor

Stephen Bennett
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Ecologist, Principal at Anabranch Solutions

Contact via Canvas messaging

Course Resources

Course resources include:

Slides (PDF)
Recordings (YouTube)
Readings (free PDFs or textbook)

All assignments, rubrics, and grading details are posted in Canvas.

Canvas Course Page

Module 1 Resources

Course Textbooks

Mandatory Texts
Free digital or optional print copies:

Design Manual (print: ~$60 Amazon, BookBaby)
Pocket Guide (purchase waterproof here)

Focus Chapters: 1, 2, and 7

Grading

Grade	Range
A	93–100%
A-	90–92.9%
B+	87–89.9%
B	83–86.9%
B-	80–82.9%
C+	77–79.9%
C	73–76.9%
C-	70–72.9%
D+	67–69.9%
D	60–66.9%
F	below 60%

University Policies

This class follows all USU academic policies, including: